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Advanced Current Issues in the Archaeology of the Frontier Regions of the Roman Empire

Vak
2024-2025

Admission requirements

Description

The Roman conquest ushered in major changes in society, technology and organisational complexity, also altering the nature of people’s relationship with landscapes and material culture.

This course deals with issues related to two regions on the fringes of the Roman empire. On the one side the wetland frontiers of the Roman province Germania Inferior are addressed, and on the other hand the desert frontier and landscapes of the Roman province Arabia.

Classes will predominantly focus on aspects related to water, and its effects on inter alia logistics, trade, the military, subsistence strategies and ritual practices.
During these classes it will become clear that we can observe quite some contrasts and dichotomies between the considered regions, but that there are also some remarkable similarities and analogies.

This course is open to both MA and RMA students, but their assessments are different. MA students will do group assignments, whereas RMA students will do their assignments – both orally and in writing – individually.

Course set-up

Lectures and tutorials, ending with discussion.
You will be given specific literature to read before each class. This will be used to formulate relevant questions. The questions will be used for the discussion during and at the end of each class/tutorial.

Students will form pairs and together they will choose a subject for the final assignment, each submitting a chapter under their own name. Together they will also present the preliminary results of this during class.

Course objectives

After completing this course, the student:

  • will understand the complexity of the socio-cultural and econo-technical transitions that took place in the waterscapes of Roman North-Western Europe and the desertscapes of Roman Arabia;

  • will be familiar with the significant landscapes, sites and material culture;

  • will be acquainted with the recent theoretical debate;

  • will be able to present the acquired knowledge orally and in writing;

  • will be able to participate in and simulate an academic discussion

  • will be able to mobilise knowledge in reasoned oral contributions to a standard suitable to an academic audience of specialists and peers;

  • will be able to write a fluent and critical essay surrounding an archaeological body of literature, culminating in a substantiated, original and focused position, including recommendations for further research.

Timetable

Course schedule details can be found in MyTimetable.
Log in with your ULCN account, and add this course using the 'Add timetable' button.

Mode of instruction

  • Lectures/tutorials;

  • Student presentations.

Assessment method

  • Weekly assignments - compulsory (15%);

  • Presentation and interactivity (25%);

  • Final team essay (60%).

Assessment deadlines:
The dates of exams and retakes can be found in MyTimetable. The deadlines of papers, essays and assignments are communicated through Brightspace.

The assignments have strict weekly deadlines.

The submission of the final essay will take place two weeks after the end of the course.

Reading list

The reading list will be posted on Brightspace.

Registration

Enrolment for all components of your study programme through MyStudymap is mandatory. This applies to both compulsory elements and elective credits. If you are not enrolled, you may not participate.

General information about registration can be found on the Course and exam enrolment page.

Contact

For more information about this course, please contact dr. ir. M.J. (Mark) Driessen.

Remarks

Compulsory attendance.